Wilson Gouveia talks UFC release and return to light heavyweight

Although the UFC released him in December, Wilson Gouveia (12-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) is moving back up to light heavyweight, and he plans to work his way back to the octagon.

Gouveia failed to make weight for a middleweight fight with Alan Belcher at UFC 107 – the second time he had done so in a three-year, 10-fight stint with the promotion – and he recently told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he is done trying to cut the extra pounds.

“I was very upset, but I realized that I’ve got to go back to 205 pounds because I’m not going to kill myself,” Gouveia said.

Gouveia admitted he was shaken after passing out in the sauna while trying to make weight for the fight with Belcher.

“I’ve got three kids, and my health and my life comes first,” Gouveia said. “I’m not going to risk everything for a paycheck.”

The fight was eventually re-drawn as a catchweight contest of 189 pounds. Belcher battered Gouveia with strikes and earned a TKO victory in the bout’s first frame.

The American Top Team fighter on Wednesday signed a new fight contract with Maximum Fighting Championship and will face Canadian veteran Ryan Jimmo on April 9.

Gouveia said he holds no grudge against the UFC over his release and that the door was open for a future return.

“We have a great relationship; I love them, and they love me,” Gouveia said. “They said the only reason they really cut me was because of the weight, and they wanted me to find out what weight class I’m going to be fighting and fight a couple times and go back in.

“And to be honest, they’re right. I’m still very happy with them. They’ve always been very nice to me. I messed up, and that’s only my fault, and it’s my job now to get back in, train, get a couple wins, and go back to the show.”

Gouveia plans to return to American Top Team today.

“I can eat a little bit more,” Gouveia said. “I’m 212 pounds right now, and that’s the weight I want to maintain. I don’t want to be too big and dehydrate my body in the last week. I want to walk around at 210 and cut five pounds.

I just want to train and fight and be happy – not kill myself.”

Steven Marrocco is a staff reporter for MMAjunkie.com and an MMA contributor for The Vancouver Sun.

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